Disposable enema units



April 10, 1962 R. P. MATTSON DISPOSABLE ENEMA UNITS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed: Oct. 14, 1959 INVENTOR.

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April 10, 1962 R. P. MATTSON 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS.

3,028,863 DISPOSABLE ENEMA UNITS Roger P. Mattson, Memorial Hospital, Casper, Wyo. Filed Oct. 14, 1959, Bar. No. 846,329 Claims. (Cl. 128-227) This invention relates to improvements in enema units and more particularly to disposable enema units.

It is a primary object of this invention to provide an improved enema unit which can be manufactured at such a very low cost that it may be discarded after using.

Another object of this invention is to provide an enema unit which is extremely simple and durable in construction and which is highly practical and easy to use.

A further object of this invention is to provide a disposable enema unit which will permit hospital and medical personnel to administer large volume flushing enemas to patients without using any hardware, such as canisters and durable rubber goods that require cleaning and sterilization before they can be reused.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an enema unit comprising an enema bag and a discharge hose and having a funnel-like receptacle at one end of the bag for easy and efiicient filling, and means at the other end for suspending the bag when being used.

Another object of this invention is to provide an enema unit with a dual purpose connector tube which serves both as a conduit thru which enema fluid may flow from the funnel-like receptacle to the main large volume receptacle and as a connector to which a discharge hose may be connected for carrying the fluid from the large receptacle to the patient when the bag is inverted.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved bag-like container of unique and unitary construction formed of flexible heat-sealable plastic film and adapted to be fabricated in a fast and economical manner with the aid of conventional heat and pressure sealing or welding equipment.

Another object of this invention is to provide a simply constructed large volume enema unit having no complicated check or fiutter valves, which may be readily disposed of after a single use, or which may be repeatedly used for multiple enemas for a single patient before being discarded.

Another object of this invention is to provide a disposable enema bag which is only two layers thick when collapsed, and which requires no punching or slitting in its fabrication.

These and other specific objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description. A clear conception of the many features constituting my present invention may be had by referring to the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate the same or similar parts in the various views.

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of the preferred embodiment of the enema bag constituting part of the present invention shown in a relaxed substantially fiat position;

FIGURE 2 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the same embodiment taken along line P2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is similarly a transverse cross-sectional view of the embodiment, but taken along line 3-3 of FIG- URE 1;

FIGURE 4 is another transverse cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIGURE 1 taken along line 44 thereof;

FIGURE 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIGURE 1 taken along line 5-5 therof;

FIGURE 6 is a plan View of the enema bag constituting a second embodiment of the present invention also shown in its relaxed substantially flat position;

FIGURE 7 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIGURE 6 taken along the line 77 thereof;

FIGURE 8 is similarly a transverse cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIGURE 6 taken along the line 8-3 thereof; and

FIGURE 9 is a perspective view showing the entire enema unit constituting the present invention in an assembled relation and in the position in which it will be used.

FlGURE 10 is a plan view partly in section of the enema bag inverted showing a modified connection between the bag and the discharge hose.

The disposable enema unit constituting this invention comprises a bag portion formed of flexible plastic film, and a discharge hose for delivering enema fluid from the bag to the patient, said bag portion comprising an upper receptacle and a lower receptacle, said lower receptacle being substantially larger than said upper receptacle, and a relatively stilt connector tube disposed between said layers and between the upper and lower receptacles to provide a conduit thru which fluidmay flow from one receptacle to the other, said upper receptacle having a relatively large opening at its upper end to act as funnel receptacle for delivering fluid to the lower receptacle, said lower receptacle having at its lower end means for suspending the bag, and said tubular member being further adapted to receive in a fluid-tight connection the discharge hose, whereby when the bag is inverted and suspended fluid will flow from the larger receptacle thru the tubular member and discharge hose to the patient.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, FIGURE 1 represents a plan view of the preferred embodiment of the invention. The bag generally designated by 10 is formed of two separate layers 12, 14 of plastic film, as for example, polyethylene, vinyl, or any other suitable thermoplastic material. FIGURES 1 through 5 show the bag in a substantially flat position with the upper layer 12 over-lying the lower layer 14. The two layers 12, 14

are cut in approximately the same shape, the upper layer 12 differing from the lower layer 14 only in that it has a curved portion 16 cut away at the upper end thereof in FIGURE 1.

At the lower end of the bag 10 there is provided an aperture 18 thru both layers, for the purpose of providing means to attach the bag to any suitable hook member for hanging the bag in an inverted position, for reasons as will hereinafter be set forth.

The two layers 12, 14 of plastic film are joined together by conventional heat sealing techniques. The outer peripheries of the layers 12, 14 are joined together by a welded heat sealed seam 20 which joins the two layers around their entire periphery except for top portion thereof which extends from point 22 to point 24 in FIGURE 1. This upper portion is unsealed so as to provide an opening 26 at the upper end of the bag.

The bag is further seamed in a curved line as at 28 and 39 to enclose and define an upper receptacle 32. In the lower central portion of the receptacle 32 there is provided a relatively stiff connector tube 34 formed from a short length of plastic tubing. This tubing is disposed between the two layers 12, 14 and protrudes a very slight amount into receptacle 32 as at 36. The seams 28 and 30 which define the lower seam of the upper receptacle 32 travel in length from the outer peripheral seam 20 inwardly to a position immediately adjacent the outer circumference of the connector tube 34. There are further provided two seams 33 and 40, joined to seams 28 and 30, respectively, which are disposed in a substantially vertical direction adjacent tube 34. These seams serve to hold the tube 34 in a laterally fixed position, as is better illustrated in FIGURE 4.

Patented Apr. 16, 1962 To enclose and thereby define a lower, large volume, receptacle 42 there are provided curved scams 4% and 46 which are disposed between the peripheral seam 2t) and the lower ends of vertical seams 3S and 49, respectively, to which they are joined. The connector tube 34 also protrudes a slight amount 37 into the receptacle 42. The bottom of the lower large volume receptacle 42 is defined by another generally arcuate scam 48. This seam provides the bag with a lower tab portion 50 which in turn is provided with the aperture 18 for hanging the bag.

The aperture 18 has a seam 52 about its circumference to give it additional strength and to help prevent tearing of the plastic film when the aperture is engaged on a hook.

If additional strength is required in the flap portion 50, depending on the type of film used and the size and weight of the bag, there may be provided a reinforcing layer 54 of film of a material similar to that of which the rest of the bag is formed. This reinforcing layer 54, as shown in FIGURES 1, 2 and 5, is of a substantially semi-circular shape and may be joined to the layers 12, 14- by the earlier mentioned seams 2t), 48 and 52, which in this instance serve to weld three layers together. The reinforcing layer 54 is provided only at the lower end of the bag, in the vicinity of the aperture 18, and terminates at an upper edge 56. It is to be noted that this reinforcing layer 54 is not indispensable and in many cases, will be necessary.

All of the seams are of the conventional heat seal type which are extensively used in industry for bonding a plurality of pieces of heat scalable plastic together. Any suitable type of low cost, flexible, thermoplastic material may be used but it has been found that either polyethylone or vinyl is best adapted for the application of this invention. The sealing may be done in any conventional manner, using for instance, either direct heat welding apparatus or electronic sealing apparatus. One of the main features of this invention is that it is adapted to be manufactured on a high speed automatic bag forming machine, thus substantially lowering the manufacturing unit cost of each bag and thereby making it economically possible to discard each bag after use.

The tube member 34 may also be of either polyethylene or vinyl or any suitable thermoplastic material, and, if desired, may similarly be joined to the film material of the bag by heat sealing. Such a seal or weld is shown at 58 in FIGURE 1, attaching the tube 34 to the layer 12. A similar seal or weld may be provided on the opposite side of the bag joining the tube 34 to layer 14 as shown in FIGURE 5. While these seals or welds serve to definitely hold the tube 34 in position between the two receptacles 32, 42, it has been observed that in the actual construction of the bag constituting part of this invention, the frictional engagement between the tube 34 and the bag wallsor layers 12, 14 is, in fact, strong enough to hold the tubing in place. Accordingly, if so desired, these seals or welds 58 may be omitted.

Thus far has been described an enema bag formed from two flat pieces of plastic film by heat sealing, comprising a smaller upper receptacle 32 and a large lower receptacle i2. Interposed between these two receptacles is a short length of plastic tubing which serves to provide a conduit thru which enema fiuid may flow between the two receptacles. In use, the upper receptacle 32 serves as a funnel to facilitate the delivery of the enema fluid to the large volume lower receptacle 42. Also provided is tab member 56 thru which is formed an aperture 18 to provide means for hanging the bag in an inverted position, as shown in FIGURE 9. Although the bag is shown in its relaxed, substantially flat position, it will be recognized that when the bag is filled, the receptacle will assume a rounder and fuller shape in cross section.

The connector tube 34 serves a second function, other than that of simply facilitating the filling of the lower receptacle. This very important second function is that of serving as the connector to which a delivery hose 60 (FIGURE 9) is attached. Referring to FIGURE 9, the delivery hose is made of plastic, again such as polyethylene or vinyl, and is simply a plain unmodified length of tubing (about 30 inches long). When the bag has been filled (i.e. the lower large volume receptacle 42) the hose 60 is simply inserted into the tubing member by hand. The outside diameter of the hose 60 is substantially the same size as the inside diameter of the tubing member 34 so that a leak-proof connection is established. A friction fit has suficient strength to prevent the tube 69 from becoming disconnected and is also leak-proof. The bag is then inverted, as is shown in FIGURE 9, and hooked by means of aperture 13 to a hook member 62 which may be of any type, mounted in any conventional location. The fluid is prevented from immediately draining thru the tube 60 by virtue of a simple tube clamp 64 which is clamped to the hose 6t}. To the free end 66 of the hose 69 there may, if desired, be attached, as by a conventional slip-over fit, any appropriate enema nozzle 68.

in FIGURE 6 through 8 is shown a second embodiment of the enema bag of the present invention. This bag is generally similar to the bag shown in FIGURES 1 through 5, but instead of being formed from two layers of plastic film, it is formed from a tubular sleeve of the plastic film. The material used is the same in both embodiments. Referring specifically to FIGURES 6 through 8, there is shown an enema bag formed from a plastic sleeve 1G1 (see FIGURE 8). This bag does not have a seal about its periphery, as it is of onepiece construction. However, the two receptacles are defined by conventional heat sealed seams in the same manner as they were in the first embodiment. Seams 102 and 164 define the lower end and upper funnel receptacle 106. Continuing from the inner ends of seams 162 and 104 are seams 108 and 110, respectively, which are disposed downwardly therefrom, immediately adjacent the sides of a plastic connector tube 112 (see also FIGURE 7). Defining the upper end of a lower large volume receptacle 114 are seams 116 and 118, which are joined to the lower ends of seams 198 and 110, respectively.

Defining the lower end of the lower receptacle 114 as well as the upper edge of a tab 120 is an arcuate seam 122. as the upper edge of a tab 126 is an arcuate seam 122. Formed in tab 128 is aperture 124 for hanging the bag, and surrounding and reinforcing aperture 124, is a seam 126. There is no reinforcing layer of plastic film shown in this embodiment but, if desired, one could easily be provided in the same manner as it is in the embodiment of FIGURES 1 through 5. To close the lower end of the sleeve 101, there is provided a curved seam 128, this seam also defining the lower marginal edge of the tab 120.

When the sleeve is lying substantially flat, in its relaxed position, its upper end is of the same shape as the bag shown in FIGURES 1 through 5. The back side of the sleeve is cut as at 130, in an arcuate shape while the front side is cut in a downwardly curved manner as at 132.

This embodiment is only briefly described as it is almost identical to the preferred embodiment. Both embodiments function in exactly the same Way. The biggest single advantage of the second embodiment is that of simpler, faster and more economical fabrication. This, of course, is due to the fact that there are fewer seals to be made and less cutting or trimming to be done. As with the first embodiment conventional high speed bag making machines can be used, operating on either the conventional direct heat welding or electronic sealing principle.

It is to be noted that the bag may also be formed from a single strip of plastic film, folded lengthwise and having a sealed seam only on one side along the length of the bag. Other methods of fabricating the bag will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

In addition to the second embodiment of the bag itself, there is also shown in FIGURE a modified technique for connecting the discharge hose 60 to the bag. In this modification the connector tube 34 is omitted and the discharge hose 6%} is connected to the large volume receptacle 42 by direct frictional engagement with the sides 12, 14 of the bag itself. In connecting the discharge hose in this manner, however, it is important that the two vertical seals 38, 4% be well made and that the end of the discharge hose be rounded somewhat, as shown at 61. The two vertical seals 38, 40 form a central vertically directed tube-like connecting chamber or conduit 41 in the bag, between the two receptacles 32, 42, and between the two layers 12, 14. To connect the discharge hose 60 to the bag it is simply necessary to push the hose into the connecting chamber 41 until the rounded end 61 of the hose 60 extends just beyond the ends of the seals 33, 40. It has been found that the two layers 12, 14 of plastic film have sufiicient strength and the proper frictional characteristics to hold the hose 60 in a dependable fluidtight connection, without the use of the connector tube 34.

While this modified type of connection has been shown with respect to the embodiment shown in FIGURES l-5, it is to be understood that it may obviously be used in the bag shown in FIGURES 68, or in any other modified form of the bag.

Considering all the embodiments, the enema unit constituting the present invention comprises two principal components, an enema bag and a discharge hose. The bag is of low cost, durable construction, and can be formed from either two layers of plastic film or from a cylindrical sleeve of the same material. Any low cost flexible thermoplastic film, such as polyethylene or vinyl, of a thickness of 3 or 4 mils may be used; and permanent and durable seals will be obtained throughout the construction by heat welding or electronic sealing. The short length of tubing constituting the connector can be incorporated into the bag by sealing operations and thereby become an integral part of the bag, or, as described above, can be omitted.

The enema bag has a capacity of at least one and onehalf quarts of enema solution, this it is possible to administer large volume flushing enemas to patients. It is intended that the enema unit be fabricated and sold empty, and that at the time of use, the enema solution will be prepared and placed within the bag. The enema solution might consist of any low cost liquid, such as tap water, or tap water containing other simple substances, such as salt or contact laxatives.

The enema solution is added to the funnel-like receptacle in the upper portion of the bag. This solution then flows, by gravity, to the interior of the bag, i.e., the lower large volume receptacle, through the connector tube, or if no connector tube is used, through the connecting chamber 41. After the bag has been filled with enema solution, a relatively stiif thirty inch length of disposable plastic tubing constituting the discharge hose is inserted into the connector tube, or the connecting chamber if no tube is used, so as to create a fluid-tight friction connection. The hose may be provided at its opposite end with an enema nozzle, however, such is not necessarily required.

The unit is now ready for use. The bag is inverted and suspended from a convenient hook, a simple pinchtype tube clamp preventing drainage of the enema solution prior to actual injection. The clamp is disengaged and the enema administered, the fluid flowing from the large receptacle through the connecting conduit and discharge hose to the patient. The plastic discharge hose is flexible,

but since it retains sufiicient rigidity, after the solution has been injected into the patient the enema solution may be siphoned from the colon of the patient back into the bag prior to disposal.

While this entire unit is intended to be disposable, it will nevertheless have sutficient durability to be used to administer multiple enemas to a single patient whenever it is required. The unit is prepared for reuse by separating the discharge hose from the bag, then preparing a second quantity of enema solution and reconnecting the discharge hose for the injection of the second enema. After final use, both the bag and discharge hose are thrown away.

The disposable feature of this enema unit is unique for large volume enema units, as is also its ability to siphon the enema fluid from the colon of the patient back into the receptacle prior to its disposal. The fact that it is a disposable unit which can be reused repeatedly on a single patient, if desired, is also a unique feature.

While there has been disclosed in the above description and drawings two practical embodiments of the invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the specific details of construction and arrangement of parts, as described, are by way of example and not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A container comprising: a flat elongated bag formed of heat-scalable material and open at one end; a pair of transverse heat sealed seams in said bag, each seam extending inwardly toward the other from opposite outer peripheral edges of said bag thereby defining a relatively large receptacle therein adjacent the closed end thereof, a relatively smaller receptacle therein adjacent the open end thereof and a passageway between said receptacles; a short preformed tube formed of heat-scalable material disposed in said passageway and heat sealed therein between said receptacles, the ends of said tube communicating with said receptacles; and a second tube received within said short tube in a removable fluid-tight connection therewith.

2. A container as claimed in claim 1 including also a I second pair of transverse heat sealed seams in said bag spaced frornsaid first mentioned seams, each seam of said second pair extending inwardly toward the other from opposite outer peripheral edges of said bag, and a pair of longitudinal heat sealed seams connecting the inwardmost ends of opposed members of each of said pairs of seams to form an elongated passageway.

3. A container as claimed in claim 2 wherein the sec- References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,548,359 Gandhi Apr. 10, 1951 2,661,741 Puckman Dec. 8, 1953 2,834,345 Tabbert May 13, 1958 2,853,069 Beachman Sept. 23, 1958 2,923,296 Adams Feb. 2, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS 108,603 Australia Sept. 20, 1939 

